The group consisted of Freddie Garrity- vocals, Roy Crewsdon - guitar, Derek Quinn - guitar, Pete Birrell - bass guitar andBernie Dwyer - drums. They formed in 1959 in Manchester. By 1961 they had appeared on BBC Radio, toured extensively and done a resident spot at the Top Ten Club in Hamburg. They turned professional when they were offered a recordingcontract with Columbia and by the end of 1963 they had three top ten hits and had toured with Roy Orbison. Further hits followed in 1964 and they ended the year appearing in The Beatles' Christmas Show at the Hammersmith Odeon.They had two more minor hits in 1965 but by the time they appeared at the Pavilion they were more like a band you woulddance to rather than stand and watch.

Millie Small came to Britain from Jamaica in 1963. Her first UK release 'Don't You Know' didn't sell too badly but her unique infectious high pitched style wasn't enough to get it into the charts. However, her second release in 1964 'My Boy Lollipop' was a stronger song and became a massive hit on both sides of the Atlantic, reaching number two in America as well as in Britain. Despite her great success and the strong influence of ska the record was simply regarded by many people at the time as a catchy pop tune and although she had a couple of further minor hits, she never managed to build on the success of her famous hit. She remained in the public conscience for a long time and was well received by the Pavilion audience when she played here. When Millie arrived in Strathpeffer late on the Friday afternoon she was mistakenly directed to the Strathpeffer Hotel instead of the Highland. She swept in with her entourage, every inch the big star, and swept equally majestically out on discovering the mistake. On the night she was backed by the Epics who were expected to learn Millie’s set in a brief practice session between six and seven before the dance started. By coincidence Jimmy Powell and the Dimensions, who appeared the previous week, had provided backing for Millie on 'My Boy Lollipop', with Jimmy Powell supplying the harmonica part. (not Rod Stewart, as is sometimes thought).

Jun 16 Note - The 8 piece Epic Showband from Newry were billed to play at the Caledonian Hotel, Inverness from 9.00 – 1.00 7/6

Jun 22 Scotland’s Greatest Beat Group. The one and only band to have a Top 20 hit record. The Poets from Glasgow.

Also Dundee’s dynamic Rite Tyme

This, unusually, was a Thursday.

Jun 23 The Liberal Association sponsored

The See-See Riders Showband from Belfast

Plus the Blue Notes Dance Band

Jun 24 The See-See Riders Showband

Plus the Blue Notes Dance Band

Jun 30 The Rockin’ Berries (Poor Man’s Son)

Also Scotland’s Top Showband Tommy Trousdale and the Sundowners

Jul 1 The Rockin’ Berries

Tommy Trousdale and the Sundowners

July 3 Note - The Highland Fling Caledonian Hotel, Inverness

8.30 – 10.30 3/6

A fast moving gay Scottish show with local artistes.

Jul 7 The Boutique Showband from Ireland

The Absolute from Glasgow

Jul 8 The Boutique Showband from Ireland

The Absolute from Glasgow

Jul 12 The Caledonian Hotel, Inverness

Kenny Ball & His Jazzmen

Jul 14 The Playground from London

The Trojans from Glasgow

Jul 15 The Playground from London

The Trojans from Glasgow

Jul 21 Billy McFarlane and the Students (from Ballymena, Ireland)

The Sunset Touch (Glasgow)

Jul 22 Billy McFarlane and the Students (from Ballymena, Ireland)

The Sunset Touch (Glasgow)

Jul 28 Whistling Jack Smith and the Quiet Five (stars of radio, stage and TV)

The Country Cousins (Scotland’s top C&W group) 10/-

Jul 29 Whistling Jack Smith and the Quiet Five (stars of radio, stage and TV)